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klr650-digest          Friday, April 2 1999          Volume 02 : Number 220




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Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 13:48:30 -0500
From: James Naus <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) Digital cameras (NKLR, non-dualsport)

You may want to check out this review.  It is a year old but they tested 29
cameras.


http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/features/digicam2/_open.htm

> -----Original Message-----
> From:    [e-mail] [SMTP:[e-mail]]
> Sent:    Friday, April 02, 1999 11:02 AM
> To:    [e-mail]
> Subject:    Re: (klr650) Digital cameras (NKLR, non-dualsport)
>
>  Gino wrote:
>
> >What are everyone's thoughts on digital cameras.  Anyone have good
> >experience with a certain model?
>
> I have owned several models and currently have an Apple QuickTake 150 and
> a
> Kodak DC50 and a Kodak DC120. Most digital cameras are great for what most
> people want to do. The only one that I was dissatisfied with was the Casio
> QV-100 because of its low-light performance. Also, cameras with only an
> LCD
> viewfinder suck when being used outdoors in bright sunlight... you can't
> see the image in the display. I recommecnd a camera with an optical
> viewfinder with an LCD playback display.
>
> The new camera generation was recently released and I'm not up on the
> latest models. The DC260 is supposed to be pretty hot as are the top 'o
> the
> line Nikon and Olympus cameras. All the high end cameras have megapixel
> resolution, but that's most important for printing: 640x480 is fine for
> Web
> use.
>
> You may want to consider a closeout high end model for the best bang for
> the buck.
> I paid $849 for the DC120 when it was a "current" model and that's when
> they where in catalogs for $999. The DC120 has a resolution of 1280x960,
> an
> optical viewfinder and LCD, removeable storage (compact PCMCIA) and a 3x
> zoom. It's quite a workhorse and still keeps up with some of the latest
> high end models. What's best is it can be had for under $350 NEW; that's
> cheaper than many of the latest low-end cameras.
>
> Mark
> B2
> A2
>
>

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 19:56:40 +0100
From: "Andy Burton" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Street Metzler tire pressure

>Ted Palmer wrote:
>
>I assume there is some price difference between the ME55 and MEZ2.

>Is the MEZ2 standard KLR size? Is the MEZ2 a radial?

>There's a ME55 and a ME55A. I think the ME55 is a bias-belted type
>for heavier duty than the plain crossply ME55A.
>I like the ME55A with its gradual slide/regrip, not vicious at all.
>
The MEZ2 was about ú20 dearer but is a radial.  It was descrided to me as a
"sports tourer" tyre and would last longer than an ME55.  I had to go up a
size to 130/80 17".   It doesn't slide at all..........either I `ride like a
girl` (no offence meant to the sexier sex) or the surface is grippier over
here?  Sliding the rear end would scare me shitless.
It gets quite hot after a run which I presumed was a good sign.
I was told that Metzeler make the only true 21" road tyre.

Andy

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 19:16:30 +0100
From: "Andy Burton" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) backfiring, and speedo cable questions

I had an '89 KLR600 that would often backfire when deaccelerating and it is
apparently normal on KLR's .

I have had to reinsert and tighten the speedo cable twice in the past 6
months, at the display end, due to it vibrating loose.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 20:13:46 +0000
From: Sarah Barwig <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Street Metzler tire pressure

> I was told that Metzeler make the only true 21" road tyre.

 Speaking of which, In the April issue of Rider magazine (I tried to buy the
May issue, but all they had was April, geez) there's a little blurb in the back
about the new Metzeler Tourance. 19" and 21" fronts and 4 sizes of 17" rears.
Anyone know anything 'bout these? They don't look real knobbly, but they're
recommended for those who commute on their d-p bike... Or is this tire one of
those numbers you've been bandying about and I once again am a little behind
the discussion?


- --
Sarah Barwig
Developer
WeddingChannel.com
[phone]
888 S. Figueroa St., Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA, 90017

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 13:35:48 -0800
From: "Jeff & Lisa Walker" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) RE: Aerostich Combat boots (NKLR)

, and
>non-broken in boots suck, but that's more of a general thing.
>
>--
>Sarah Barwig


Having walked more miles than the average bear in my LPC's (Leather
Personnel Carriers) (Rangers lead the way!), I've worn out more boots and
broken several in.  In the last eight years, I've gone through 21 pairs of
boots, 4 pair of which are still serviceable.  To break them in, I've tried
rubbing shaving cream into the leather, saddle soap, worn them in the
shower, you name it.  What I've found is that you need to break your feet
into the boot, not the other way around.  With jungle boots, I never wore
socks, so as to toughen my feet up, plus what's the point if your feet are
constantly wet.  My first year in the Army I used to get the largest blood
blisters you could imagine.  Solution?  Carefully lance them with a
sterilized needle, let it drain, then soak your feet in a HOT bath of water
and surgical iodine.  Anyway wearing the boots around the house for a while
is a good idea.  Could be a real problem if your moto breaks down in the
middle of nowhere and your boots aren't broken in and you have to walk out.
If you do have to walk out from somewhere, make sure to bring a spare pair
of socks, and change them after a couple of hours, with foot powder.  (What?
More things to add to the packing list!)

Jeff--working on his new "cooler" saddle bags.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 16:30:33 -0500
From: Stuart Heaslet <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) What Valve Clearance Adjustment?...NKLR

At 12:06 PM 4/2/99 -0500, J.Taylor wrote:
>The SOP so many businesses adopt these days just irritates me. This
>is what we have been reduced to both as a race (human) and group of
>enthusiasts? It's just sad...

And there's the opportunity.  It's so easy to compete with those people or
or fix their buggers fer a fee...
You need to go to Alaska, son.  :-)

Stuart

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 16:37:09 -0500
From: "Preferred Customer" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Re: klr650-digest V2 #216

>Meanwhile, don't let it get you down.  The KLR is a great bike.  If you're
>like me, you'll get a lot of satisfaction from doing the job yourself and
>KNOWING it was done and done right.


BINGO!

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 13:49:39 PST
From: "cosmo bojinski" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) trials and tribulations

Well I'm still learning how to horse the beast around the local
sand/gravel pit.My last dual purpose was a 1973 Ossa M.A.R. trials.How
they allowed it to be street legal is beyond me,wow I thought the klr's
brakes were awesome ! Yesterday in the pit I was cautiously approaching
a drop-off-oops stall and drop-off I did.No damage to the bike, just
pride and nearly gave myself whiplash from looking around to see who saw
my classic "Arte Johnson".Right about then I decided I should look into
the pros and cons of lowering a tooth on the countershaft sprocket.I
realize it wont be a "plonker" but it should help a bit without giving
up too much in the commuting department.Any feedback is appreciated,will
search the archives, thanks,....cosmo
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 17:11:42 -0500
From: "bob kaub" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) My Own Valve Adjustment

It's warm in NE Pennsylvania today and I decided to adjust the valves.  Two
were under spec and two were just at the bottom of the spec. The bike has
3800 miles on it and the dealer did NOT adjust the valves at the 500 mile
service (which actually took place at 1300 miles for me).
Got the bike all apart and popped out the shims using an X-acto knife.
Works great, just wiggle the blade in the slot and twist and the shims pop
right out.  You still need a tweezers to fish them out of the head, though.
Turns out I could re-use one of the four shims already in the engine, a 260.
I went to the nearest dealer, Conklin Cycle in Binghamton, NY (I bought the
bike there),  and the service manager traded me even for the other three
shims I needed, two 255's and a 250.
The service manager commented that the shims should be installed with the
numbers down.  The original shims were installed this way.  This is the
first I have heard of this.  Does anybody know why other than not wearing
off the numbers?
I was not able to get the torque wrench on one of the cam bearing cap
screws, the very rear intake screw , so I had to fake that one.  But
everything else went together OK and the clearances were just at the high
end of the spec for all four valves.
Bike started right up and I went for a 20 mile test ride down some muddy
dirt roads and some two-lane pavers.  Not too fast though, a lot of dirt on
the paved roads from the winter.
So, I guess I'm ready for '99 riding season as soon as I change the oil and
filter (after a couple of hundred miles).
Considering all the commentary about dealers and valve adjustments, I would
suggest doing it yourself just to be sure what you've got.  Thanks.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 17:20:54 -0500
From: Brian Plouffe <[e-mail]>
Subject: (klr650) Warranty Question

Hi All,

New to the list and had a couple of questions regarding the KLR 650
warranty. Here's my scenario:
I have an opportnity to buy a '99 KLR for under $4,000. It has less than
500 miles on it. The dealer selling it is out of state and no longer
handles Kawasaki's.
What is the warranty on a new 650?
Is it transferrable to me if I buy the bike?
Will a local dealer be willing to do warranty work or will they
grudgingly do it, pissed that I bought the bike elsewhere?

Any other insight you could offer would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!

Brian Plouffe

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 15:33:08 -0700
From: "Vik Banerjee" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Warranty Question

- -----Original Message-----
From: Brian Plouffe <[e-mail]>
To: KLR list <[e-mail]>
Date: Friday, April 02, 1999 3:24 PM
Subject: (klr650) Warranty Question


>Hi All,
>
>New to the list and had a couple of questions regarding the KLR 650
>warranty. Here's my scenario:
>I have an opportnity to buy a '99 KLR for under $4,000. It has less than
>500 miles on it. The dealer selling it is out of state and no longer
>handles Kawasaki's.

Sounds good!

>What is the warranty on a new 650?

Normal warranty is 1 yr unlimited miles.  You can extend this to 2 or 3
years at additional cost.

>Is it transferrable to me if I buy the bike?

Yes the warranty is transferable if the bike is less than 12months old.

>Will a local dealer be willing to do warranty work or will they
>grudgingly do it, pissed that I bought the bike elsewhere?

Well the have to do the work (in theory) they can of course do it faster or
slower.  If you need warranty work worry about this if not its not worth
troubling yourself about.  I say this because your local dealers are either
good or bad and I don't see much you can do to change that.  When/if you
need warranty work just don't make a big show about buying it out of state!!

Call Fred once you get you bike and ask for the standard accessory upgrade
kit.

Cheers,

Vik

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 18:14:56 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) How do I contact Jake Jakeman?

I while back someone noted that Jake had
developed a luggage rack/aux gas tank.

I wanted to talk to him about that but the
number I have for him has been disconnected.

435 387-5575 doesn't work.  Is there another
number?

I NEED the extra gas.

Thanks,
Pete Dean
'94 KLR
'99 MN 1000 & Butt Lite 5000

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 16:33:42 -0700
From: Bogdan Swider <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) Givi's crashability

    You read my mind Kurt G. One correction though, said vado is about 1
mile SOUTH of Catavina, 1 mile north of the Rancho Santa Ynes turnoff. Baja
bound take note even if you've gone through with out incident before. I came
in happily blasting along 60mpg or so; I came out to paraphrase Patrice "A
Polak on two buttocks". This isn't a vado in the usual Baja sense. According
to the locals the roadbuilders, "Mexicanos al fin", placed the highway right
on top of a spring; it's always wet, hence the moss. There should be a
trucker type C&W song about it: There's a vado down Mexico way. Just south
of Catavina the bikers say. It's caused many a good rider to slide. Some
lost more than just their pride...................Bogdan, Who like Mark
Twain's cat that jumped on a hot stove and now won't jump on a cold one
crosses ALL vados slowly & carefully.

    Like the one on the North side of Catavina?  Just a guess, but that
spot has
    claimed a lot of bikes.
    Kurt G.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 17:09:31 -0700
From: Bogdan Swider <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (klr650) backfiring, and speedo cable questions

    Are you running a stock muffler? Whenever my SuperCrap/SuperTripe
was without packing it would backfire off throttle. When I repacked it would
stop. Bogdan

    In my experience, backfiring on deceleration is almost always a sign
that you
    are sucking air around the exhaust flange.  Check the flange nuts
and the
    gasket.
    Kurt Grife

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 19:08:15 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: (klr650) 1999 KLR650's sold out

I was at the dealership today (R&S Kawasaki in Albuquerque, NM) and they have
sold a record number of KLR's for 1999.  They are sold out.  They have
scoured the southwest and the supply is dwindling rapidly.  Sales manager
estimated that there are fewer than 8 in the AZ, NM, TX, CO, WY, OK, CA area
to be had.

Gino

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 16:25:57 -0800
From: Christopher J Beasley <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) BA ride Sunday

Come on BA listers!  let's go ride!
beez


Marick Payton wrote:

> Chris Beasley and I are going to Carnegie (near Tracey, CA) for
> a bit of dirt riding this Sunday. Any other Bay Area riders
> interested in joining drop a line and I'll forward more info.
>
> Marick

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 19:27:26 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: (klr650) What Valve Clearance Adjustment?

In a message dated 4/2/99 8:55:36 AM Central Standard Time, [e-mail]
writes:

<< Frank, as a former dealer do you have any insight into this...? >>
Kurt and list, the dealer often isn't aware that his mechanics are cheating
the customer. Almost all jobs are billed according to the flat rate manuals.
A very good mechanic can make 1 1/2 to 2 X more money than a new mechanic
because he can do a 3 hour job in 1-2 hours or less. The customer pays the
same. If the mechanic screws up and takes 4 hours,  or has a 'come back',
then the shop and mechanic loses. When a customer is charged for a valve
adjustment and noone took the valve cover off to actually check, then the
customer has been cheated and the shop owner should be given an opportunity
to rectfy the error. Ask to be present when the work is done. If the shop
owner doesn't care, neither will his employees. Shit rolls down from the top.
 Then report the experience to the Better Business Bureau with copies to
Kawasaki and the state bureau of motor vehicles licensing officer. Legitimate
dealers don't ever want the public to get cheated, its bad for everyone,
hence 1 in 30
frank

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 17:37:03 -0700
From: "Fred Hink" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (klr650) Street Metzler tire pressure

- -----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Barwig <[e-mail]>
To: KLR list <[e-mail]>
Date: Friday, April 02, 1999 6:28 AM
Subject: Re: (klr650) Street Metzler tire pressure


>> I was told that Metzeler make the only true 21" road tyre.
>
> Speaking of which, In the April issue of Rider magazine (I tried to buy
the
>May issue, but all they had was April, geez) there's a little blurb in the
back
>about the new Metzeler Tourance. 19" and 21" fronts and 4 sizes of 17"
rears.
>Anyone know anything 'bout these? They don't look real knobbly, but they're
>recommended for those who commute on their d-p bike... Or is this tire one
of
>those numbers you've been bandying about and I once again am a little
behind
>the discussion?

The Metzeler Tourance is rated at 95% pavement and 5% off road.  There are
lots of 21" street tires out there.  Lots of Harleys use a 21" front.

The tires that I know about are the Dunlop D402, Dunlop Cruisemax, Dunlop
D604, Metz. MEB80, Metz. ME Laser, Metz. Sahara 3 & Enduro 4, Pirelli MT66,
MT 70, MT60, MT90, MT80, Bridgestone TW301, 9, 25, 21, 41, Avon AM 20, AV33,
AM24, Speedmaster, Maxxis C-6011, Cheng Shin Baracuda, C175, IRC WF-920,
GP110, GP1,Kenda K657, K270, Vee VRM-163, VRM-193, Continental TK16.

One of these should fit your needs.

Fred

------------------------------

End of klr650-digest V2 #220
****************************